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NFZ at its best in November CAIRNS
Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com
November would have to be the cream of the crop when it comes to fishing in the Trinity Net Free Zone. The only drawback is that the barramundi is a no target species but that does not mean there aren’t any worthy fish to chase. In fact, there is no better time to be chasing a big mangrove jack across systems in the NFZ. Through November, the jacks become very aggressive and can even school up making for some pretty crazy fishing sessions. It’s not uncommon to capture a couple of fish off the same snag or in consecutive casts. They will be smacking most paddle-tail plastics, however the standouts so far this year has been the Biwaa
Golden snapper come on the bite in November. Submissions and the RT Shad in 3.5-4.5”. The trick with all of these paddle tail plastics is to use a fast retrieve so
your lure is moving away from structure quickly. Jacks love chasing down a lure this time of year so giving them
Premium fishing time PORT DOUGLAS
Lynton Heffer www.fishingportdouglas.com.au
It’s been a wonderful time for fishing enthusiasts in tropical Far North Queensland and there are still a few more surprises to come. The added spice in recent times has been the arrival of the big black marlin along the shelf to breed. This began around mid-September with 500lb specimens eager to play, which is typically early. As the days go by, the bigger they are going to get – pushing up to the magical 1000lb milestone. On our local grounds between Cairns, Port Douglas and the top of the Ribbon Reefs near Lizard Island, the game fishing fleet are licking their lips for a big season, which normally extends into early December. You’ll have to follow our social media reports to keep up with the progress. The Port Douglas Marlin Challenge will also be conducted mid-November, which always attracts some of the biggest names in the industry. As one style of fishing hits its straps, the same can be said for the most popular form of fishing in the area, and that’s fishing the Great Barrier Reef. It has been firing for a couple of months and, with another early spawn in September, the reef fish congregated like you wouldn’t believe. In particular, coral trout produced the best ever on record for a couple of 38
NOVEMBER 2022
decades according to our logs. There were plenty of big, strong, healthy fish accompanied by the likes of spangled emperor, red emperor, Māori bream, Moses perch, gold spot trevally and the nannygai species. I don’t expect too much to change for some time ahead, with consistent fishing forecasted. Within the outer reef systems, Spanish mackerel and northern bluefin tuna have been quite steady. Along with some good yellowfin tuna just outside along the shelf for light
tackle trolling enthusiasts. As to be expected, our river systems began to reach their peak with barramundi and big fingermark as stand out fish. Add some robust javelin fish and river trevally across the flats to the equation and it has been top value, especially outside of the neap tides. The days are certainly pushing the mercury level higher and we anticipate the fishing to finish on a high note this calendar year. Times like these explain why we are considered the best fishery in the world!
something to charge at is a good way to get them to bite. The top of the Trinity Inlet will be the best place to find those bigger fish. Up past all the development and into those smaller mangrove creeks will provide plenty of structure that these jacks love. Thomatis Creek is also a likely jack spot this time of year and also has plenty of structure that jacks just love. My own local system, Moon Creek will also hold some good jacks this time of year, especially around the pontoons.
Plastics and suspending minnows will be a good choice for jacks. snapper. These fish can be found mostly in the cairns Inlet along the wrecks, and rubble bottom, which is best fished at neap tides. One of the more known spots which produces these fish out from the Hemmingway’s Brewery Wharf. The other species which will begin to appear in numbers will be the blue and threadfin salmon. The Barron River
big schools so using a side imaging sounder like, my Humminbird Helix 12 and Mega 360, will certainly help you find the fish and show you where to cast. Just be weary that large female barra also spawn in this spot so if you catch one of these it is best if you release it boat side and don’t lift it into the boat. The same can be said for the large
Jacks will be your best target in November.
Black marline are a welcomed arrival at this time of year.
No matter what system you are fishing the last of the run out and the first of the run in will be the best time to target jacks. If you can coincide this with early morning or late afternoon, then this is even better. Along with the jacks anglers will also enjoy a steadier run of golden
has already been producing smaller 75-80cm salmon, which are feeding on the small bait in the river. The larger fish will be turning up on the beaches, especially if we get a bit of rain to get the prawns running. Slow rolled plastics and vibes will be the best way to target these fish. They will ball up in
threadfin and if you don’t intend on eating them then release them in the water. Finally, if you are thinking of heading up and fishing the NFZ or taking a charter out of Cairns or Port Douglas please book well in advance as its almost impossible to find a spot at the moment.
